U.S. President Joe Biden met with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on March 12 in Washington, D.C., for the first leaders’ meeting under the Quadripartite Dialogue (Quad).
Here are the opening statements of the four leaders during the meeting
Biden said, “Hello, everybody. I wish we could attend in person, but even in this virtual format, it’s wonderful to be with friends. We are reminded that we are in the midst of a global crisis, but we also have to overcome it. The Quadrilateral Dialogue was, was created after the 204 crisis that you just, you just saw in that short film, under my predecessor, George Bush Jr, after the 2004 tsunami.” He said, “Mr. Prime Minister, I remember later visiting Japan to see the aftermath of that disaster. What you’ve been through is appalling. We convened this group for the first Time as leaders. I want to thank my peers for joining us today. Prime Minister Morrison, Prime Minister Modi, and Prime Minister Kan. You — I’m glad you’re all here. Like I said, I hope we can do this together.”
Biden said, “This is also the first multilateral summit I’ve had the opportunity to chair as president. At this —- moment, I think we all care about this purpose: a free and open Indo-Pacific region is critical to each of our futures, to our country. The United States is committed to working with you, our partners, and all of our allies in the region to achieve stability. This is a particularly important group because it is committed to practical solutions and concrete results.” He said, “And, my peers, if you’ll excuse me, I want to give you an example of why this is important. There are many examples, but yesterday, I signed the American Rescue Plan to get the American people through this pandemic and jumpstart our economy and economic recovery. This bill will put meaningful help in the hands of those in our country who need it most.”
Biden said, “As a result, this week, the OECD revised upward the expected growth rate for the United States this year as a result of that legislation. In fact, the OECD doubled it from 3.2 percent to 6.5 percent; the fastest rate of economic growth in a year since 1984. This is critical because the OECD also predicts that U.S. economic growth, driven by the ‘American Rescue Plan’ (ARP) and increased vaccinations, will be the main driver of global growth this year, and that our trading partners will benefit around the world as a result.” But to do this right, he said, “we must all focus on creating domestic demand and driving sustainable global growth. We have launched an ambitious new joint partnership that will boost vaccine production and enhance vaccination for the global good, benefiting the entire Indo-Pacific region.”
Biden said, “We are creating a new mechanism to strengthen our cooperation and raise our shared ambition as we tackle accelerating climate change. And we are reaffirming our commitment to ensure that our region is bound by international law, committed to universal values, and free from coercion.” He said, “Gentlemen, as you know, we have an important agenda before us, but I am optimistic about our prospects. The Quadripartite talks will be an important arena for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. I look forward to working closely with all of you in the years ahead. Now, Prime Minister Modi, I turn the floor over to you. Again, it’s good to see you all.”
Modi said, “Your Excellencies – President Biden, Prime Minister Morrison and Prime Minister Kan, it’s a pleasure to be here with friends. I thank President Biden for this initiative. Your Excellencies, we are united by our democratic values and our commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Our agenda today: covering areas such as vaccines, climate change and emerging technologies, makes the Quadripartite Dialogue mechanism a force for good for the global good.” He said, “I see this positive vision as an extension of India’s ancient philosophy of ‘the world is one’ as a cosmopolitan concept, which sees the world as one Family. We will work together, more closely than ever before, to promote our shared values for a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.” He said, “Today’s summit demonstrates that the ‘Quadripartite Dialogue’ is ripe for the picking. It will now remain an important pillar of stability in the region. Thank you.”
“Thank you,” Biden said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken then said, “Prime Minister Morrison.”
Morrison said, “President Biden, thank you for this outstanding initiative and for bringing us together. I share the Prime Ministers’ pleasure in meeting you. Namaste, good morning, and hello in Japanese (こんにちは), greetings from Australia.” He said, “It is not yet dawn as we begin a new day in Australia. But we come together as leaders of the Quad countries to greet what I think will be a new dawn for the Indo-Pacific region through our gathering.”
Morrison said, “History tells us that great things can be accomplished when nations work together in a partnership of strategic trust, shared hopes and common values. When the world emerged from the Great War and the last global pandemic a century ago, it soon found a Great Depression and another global conflict that caused unimaginable poverty and destruction.” He spoke of, “As we emerge from this global pandemic and global recession, let’s work together to create a different future. The Indo-Pacific region will now determine the fate of our 21st century world.”
Morrison said, “As leaders of four great liberal democracies in the Indo-Pacific, let our partnership be an agent of peace, stability and prosperity, and share in an inclusive way the vision of an open, inclusive – and resilient Indo-Pacific that they have expressed through ASEAN with many countries in the region; by upholding our values and supporting international law, respecting and supporting their sovereignty, independence and security; and addressing the many challenges we face, from the new crown Epidemic to climate change.” He said, “Know this, my friends, that in all these tasks, while Australia looks to our friends, we never leave them to it. We will do our part to ease the burden for all of you. I am pleased to now hand the floor over to my good friend Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.”
Kan said, “Joe, Mr. Modi and ScoMo: It’s a great honor to join you in realizing the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Leaders Summit for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Starting with the response to the tsunami disaster we just saw in the video, the four countries became a forum for diplomatic dialogue in 2007.” He said, “Since then, after overcoming some difficult circumstances around 2017, we have gained new momentum. In October last year, we entered the phase of holding a meeting of foreign ministers here in Tokyo. Less than six months from then, we have now held this first leaders’ summit. I’m really excited about this development. I thank Joe for the initiative.”
I hope that with the joint efforts of the four countries, we will steadfastly advance our cooperation to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific region and make visible and tangible contributions to peace, stability and prosperity in the region, including overcoming the New Crown epidemic,” Kan said. Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. We have received strong support from the United States, Australia and India in our response to the disaster. Joe visited the affected areas shortly after the disaster and again expressed his gratitude.” He said, “I look forward to a fruitful discussion today.”
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